Traditional circuses that use wild animals for performance have faced sustained welfare criticism and are being phased out in many countries.
The life of a wild animal in a circus involves repeated cycles of travel, temporary pen confinement, and performances requiring unnatural behaviors often trained through punishment. The nomadic nature of circus operations means consistent veterinary care and stable social groups are nearly impossible to maintain. The near-elimination of wild animal circuses in many wealthy countries shows that public entertainment preferences have shifted enough to make this welfare reform politically viable.